BB62
Accomplished Advocate
Thanks for the kind words, Bob.Glad donations are picking up. My wife and I meet you for the first time just recently in Jeff City at the Supreme Court on the hearing about Article 1 Section 23 of our states's Constitution and it's meaning as far as non-violent felons is concerned. You drove all the way from Ohio, sleeping in your car to get the rest you needed to complete the trip. I was very impressed in your commitment to our 2nd Amendment rights, not only in Missouri but in your state of Ohio as well.
Unlike some in any organization or now in this day and age, a forum...you are willing to stand your ground and stand up for your principles.
Did I agree with everything you did up to and including the Zoo event, you know that I didn't and I told you so, in fact I remember getting into a couple of "discussions". But I also told you that because of no fault of your own you were forced into this battle without having the necessary time to lay out a proper strategy. And that is the reason I put my money where my mouth is and helped in anyway I could during the early stages of this event.
It is unfortunate on a forum that should encourage your activities, they chastise you for standing up for "our" rights. But that is the nature of the breast, as they say. I too was chastised on this very forum for going into to a Columbia gun shop that does not support my right to open carry a firearm in the city limits of Columbia and voiced my opinion to them making a living off of the 2nd Amendment and not supporting it. As a result of the bad mouthing I received, I blocked and continue to block some folks on here.
The amount of time you have given and the money you have "put in the pot", would be shocking to some on here, so I will say thank-you for those that fail to see the importance of your "our" fight.
Thank-you again and may we all benefit from your efforts.
Bob and Vivian Yelkin.
In this fight (as it has developed) we all have various roles that we can, are willing, and/or are able to play, but people should know that Bob contacted me before the day of the Zoo challenge had even ended and offered financial assistance as well as help directing me to a capable attorney friend.
I don't say this to put him on a pedestal any more than I feel that "my" challenging the Zoo puts me there or is about me.
This battle is about and for US, and many un-cited people have and continue to play vital roles in singular or multiple ways. I'm the guy out front, and I'll claim credit for various things, but this was and is a TEAM effort.
Finally, since it may not be clear to some: if after research, consultation, and feedback, I had determined that despite my strong desire to shut down what I felt were the Zoo's overarching claims, the battle couldn't reasonably be waged - I would have regretfully accepted the permanent injunction and moved on, older and wiser. Thankfully, that didn't happen.